Newsletter-Winter-2013.Pdf
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Winter 2013 Hon. Patron – Michael Aspel OBE 1ST WEYBRIDGE (BROOKLANDS OWN) SCOUT GROUP HQ OFFICIALLY RE-OPENED Would you like to join the Weybridge Society? Please contact any Committee member- see Page 8 BROOKLANDS THROUGH THE AGES An exciting talk will be given by Steve McCarthy who manages the Society’s website. Brooklands has been very much shaped by the legacy of the motor racing circuit built in 1907. The early history of the area, how the circuit came into being and its subsequent development yield some fascinating facts about the life and times of people The 1st Weybridge (Brooklands Own) Scout Group HQ was officially in Weybridge. re-opened following a special parade through Weybridge led by the Steve’s talk will be an insight into the history of 3rd Molesey Scout and Guide Band. The Scout Group had been the Brooklands area. It will cover its origins, working on a major renovation for over 2 years. This had been history, people and supported by many local businesses, organisations and residents. other interesting facts The Weybridge Society was an early donor. The Baker Street from the early days businesses and The Weybridge Business Group contributed from through to modern earlier events. times. The Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Mike Bennison, and Cllr David Steve’s background as Munro, chairman of Surrey County Council unveiled a plaque a professional commemorating the re-opening. Both councils had given significant engineer has fuelled grants to enable the renovation to be completed. These grants his interest in cars allowed the HQ to be re-fitted to allow use (when not needed for and the local history scout activities) by community groups. of Brooklands. His The renovation included rewiring, decoration, new toilets and kitchen interests have led him and for the first time disabled access. Volunteers to study Brooklands Steve McCarthy raised most of the money (through a range of and have an events including carol singing, stalls at fetes and alternative collecting textiles for recycling) and parents did knowledge; different from the well-chronicled much of the work. aspects of the racing circuit. Many businesses donated materials or labour including Grangewood Floors in Queens Road The talk will start at 8pm. Members free; guests SCAN THIS QRCODE rd who renovated the HQ floor (continued on Page £3. St James' Church main hall on Thursday 23 WITH SMART PHONE January 2014 TO LINK TO WEBSITE 2). www.weybridgesociety.org.uk 2 The Weybridge Society Newsletter – Winter 2013 1st Weybridge (Brooklands Own) Scout Group HQ (from Page 1) A group from The Grassroots Project, which offers horticulture and leisure services combined with essential life skills to promote an active future for children and adults, visited the scout headquarters before the event to re-plant the baskets and flower beds. After the formal opening the Group organised a Community Fun Day on Monument Green which included a red Railton vintage motor car loaned from Brooklands Museum plus stalls, demonstrations and games for all to enjoy. This was launched by a Lion Dance given by the Tai Chi teacher’s group. In the HQ the Group provided refreshments and a Lego workshop for younger visitors. The HQ is now in full use and ready to support local Scouts from 6-14 for another 50 years. For hiring opportunities contact [email protected] Tony Palmer THE SCIENCE BEHIND CLIMATE CHANGE Dr Geoff Jenkins gave a stimulating and enjoyable presentation on the Science behind Climate Change at Heathside School on September 26th. Geoff was deeply involved with the UK programme on Climate Change Prediction from the early 90’s until his retirement a few years ago and hence he was well qualified to give the presentation. His talk outlined the basic science used in the models that are used to predict global climate change. He reviewed the many practical measurements that are taken throughout the world both on land and sea which are used to build and validate the model. He reviewed the climate change predictions that were current which was particular opportune as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was meeting the week of the talk and its report was being issued the next day. Geoff indicated that the report would probably state the level of certainty was now more than 95% that human activities had caused more than 50% of the observed increase in global surface temperatures since the 1950s. He gave some indications of what that meant for Weybridge in the future. The 50% probability estimate was that mean daily maximum Geoff Jenkins summer temperatures would be 5C higher but rainfall would be more than 25 % lower. Good and bad news for gardeners! The Society was pleased to see that a significant proportion of the audience were 6th form pupils from Heathside and St George’s schools who are studying Climate Change as part of their Geography “A” levels. This was the first talk that had been arranged in conjunction with Heathside School. The Society is grateful to Heathside for the use of the excellent facilities and the Friends of Heathside for providing refreshments. A special mention must also be made to Callum Greenaway who performed some beautiful piano music, including some of his own compositions, as a prelude to the talk. Donations were collected for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity at the request of Dr Jenkins; together with a Callum Greenaway donation from the Society £100 was raised. Dave Arnold DIAL STONE COURT At the invitation of a member, and resident of the new Dial Stone Court, the McCarthy and Stone retirement complex on the corner of Queens Road and Oatlands Avenue, Weybridge Society secretary, Carolyn Pennycook, spoke to residents about the society at one of their regular fortnightly coffee mornings. She outlined the work and background of how Weybridge Society works to promote its aim to keep Weybridge special, and a lively questions and answers and general debate about all things Weybridge ensued. It was an informal and friendly atmosphere, at which a view was expressed that it would be nice to have a day-time Weybridge Society meeting on occasion – do members think this would be a good idea? The group was joined by the new Police Community Support Officer Dial Stone Court (PCSO) Ian Lowe. Officer Lowe had recently been posted to Weybridge, and said he found the secretary’s talk very helpful in getting to know the area. Members might be interested to know that on Saturday, 16 November, the Meet the Beat team from the police neighbourhood team will be at Waitrose at 15.30 p.m. (3.30 p.m.), and that on Thursday, 12 December, at 19.30 p.m. (7.30 p.m.) there will be a meeting of the Weybridge Panel of the Neighbourhood Police at St George’s Junior School, Thames Street, Weybridge. Both these events are opportunities for residents to meet the local beat officers, and discuss concerns about the area, and other local issues. Reminder The Police emergency number is 101 or 999 if you suspect a crime might be in progress. Carolyn Pennycook 3 The Weybridge Society Newsletter – Winter 2013 HEATHSIDE SCHOOL PRESENTATION EVENING As for many years, 2013 was no exception – Weybridge Society again donated two prizes to pupils of Heathside School – one for History (in the main school) and one for Contributions to the Community of Weybridge (Sixth Form). Committee members Annette Davies and Anne Lindsay represented the Society at the Presentation Evening on 11 September, and they reported on the excellence of the evening, and especially the outstanding achievements of Heathside pupils. This year the History prize went to Amy Cronin and her citation stated “Amy has exceptional ability in history demonstrated by her achievement of an A*. She writes with flair and intelligence, constructing well balanced but directed arguments. She is a very able and talented historian. We are really pleased that Amy is continuing her Sixth Form studies here at Heathside.” The prize for Contributions to the Community of Weybridge went to Amy Ward, and her citation was as follows:- “Amy’s ambition is to be a Paediatric nurse, believing that children are our future, making their experience a positive one. To this end she has Amy Cronin volunteered in a local primary having responsibility for a small group of children giving them her constant attention. Amy has also worked with children who have Cerebral Palsy helping them to play in a safe environment and supervise their lunch times. Amy has represented the local community as a Great British Kayaker and is the National Champion at sprint and double National Champion in marathon. She came third in the World Marathon Championships. Whilst doing all this Amy achieved 1A*, B and C in her A levels. As you say, Amy, the character of a nurse is just as important as the knowledge she possesses …. You have been a delightful student and will make an equally delightful nurse … good luck!”. Carolyn Pennycook Amy Ward BEN VESTITO Ben Vestito is a ladies fashion shop at 58 High Street Weybridge, we have been trading for two and half years. As a family we cycle at weekends, both of our children also cycle competitively. We felt that with a fashion background and the increasing popularity of ladies cycling, we would design our own ladies cycling clothing. We wanted to design clothing that didn¹t have brands and logos all over the clothing. More importantly, we wanted cycling clothing ladies could feel feminine in whilst cycling. We have four cycling jersey designs with matching shorts; two of the prints are colourful one in pinks and the other purple.